Habits! Some we form are good, like brushing our teeth, saying our prayers but then there are other things that develop into bad habits. I am beginning to feel like my relationship with my cell phone has become a bad habit!
I follow a bog called 'nieniedialogues' (which is awesome btw) but she posed the thought, "How will my children remember me?" or something close to that. She was writing in regard to her time spent either on the computer or cell in hand. AHHHHH!!! It was was a mini light bulb for me. How do I want Stella and Amelia to visualize me as their momma....certainly not with my cell phone as an appendage of my body, worse yet engaged with IT instead of them.
There was a time early in Stella's life when she was in her height of being a fussy, high needs baby where I would honestly say Pinterest and my cell helped keep me sane. Joking aside I honestly said thanks for these tools in my prayers. Stella would be crying in the sling and I would be bouncing, kinda zoning out looking on Pinterest. During Stella's feedings her and I would curl up in the rocker, cell phone in hand (with 3G network). Stella used nursing not just as a source of food but also comfort, it is just what she needed! She nursed a ton more and for longer then her big sister, each kiddo is just so different. Around this time Amelia watched far too much television for my liking but we were in survival mode. Here is the thing though, now I don't need these tools anymore. Sure Facebook is great to feel connected with the outside world on days when we stay home and Pinterest is such a good source of inspiration HOWEVER, now I need to realign my priorities and reorganize my time. My blog, I look at this as an investment in our family history - I will print it out at some point, I really will!!! Design blogs, whilst soooooo cool and good when building a new house can really eat up time. Time is so precious! I really try to keep my computer time to naps and bedtime but my phone....yep we need some time apart. I need to ask myself, "Have I done the other things I should be doing?". Habits man, they can be so great or soooo not. Read this talk and wanted to tie it to my post on habits because there is such good counsel given here on priorities, which often evolve into habits.
I just love these 3 other Polischuk Peeps and want to reset my priorities to be a better lady.
Keeping Your Life in Balance
By Elder M. Russell Ballard
Coping with the complex and diverse challenges of everyday life, which is not an easy task, can upset the balance and harmony we seek...You will need a strong commitment and personal discipline to incorporate them into your life.
1. Establish Priorities
Think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did.
Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day.
2. Set Attainable Goals
Set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance.
3. Budget Wisely
Everyone faces financial challenges in life. Through wise budgeting, control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life. The prophet Jacob said to his people: “Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy” (2 Nephi 9:51).
4. Build Relationships
Stay close to your parents, relatives, and friends. They will help you keep a balance in your life. Build relationships with your family and friends through open and honest communication.
Good family relationships can be maintained through gentle, loving, thoughtful communication. Remember that often a glance, a wink, a nod, or a touch will say more than words. A sense of humor and good listening are also vital parts of good communication.
5. Study the Scriptures
Search the scriptures. They offer one of the best sources we have to keep in touch with the Spirit of the Lord.
6. Take Care of Yourself
Many people, including me, have difficulty finding the time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. We must schedule time on our daily calendars for these activities if we are to enjoy a healthy and balanced life. Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self-respect.
7. Live the Gospel
The prophets have taught repeatedly that families should teach one another the gospel, preferably in a weekly family home evening.
8. Pray Often
My last suggestion is to pray often as individuals and as families. You can know the right decisions to make each day through constant, sincere prayer.
Stay Focused and Do Your Best
Often the lack of clear direction and goals can waste our time and energy and contribute to imbalance in our lives. A life that gets out of balance is much like a car tire that is out of balance. It will make the operation of the car rough and unsafe. Tires in perfect balance can give a smooth and comfortable ride. So it is with life. The ride through mortality can be smoother for us when we strive to stay in balance. Our main goal should be to seek “immortality and eternal life” (Moses 1:39). With this as our goal, why not eliminate from our lives the things that clamor for and consume our thoughts, feelings, and energies without contributing to our reaching that goal?
Just do the very best you can each day.
Some good really wise words! Noted.
~ Mrs. P
